Anyone else getting tired two months after a stent?

[WhenImSixtyFour]

I am a 64-year-old man who had a HA and stent two months ago. Currently on aspirin, clopidogrel, lansoprazole, elantan, atorvastatin, and ramipril. Been cautiously active since, including some recent gentle 1-hour gym sessions as part of my cardio rehab.

I find that I get a tired, washed-out feeling most afternoons regardless of whether I have exercised that day or not. It knocks me out for most of the afternoon and sometimes into the evening as well. Initially, I thought this was my body recovering from the HA and getting used to the stent, but I am now starting to wonder if it might be one or more of my meds that is causing the batteries-run-out feeling?

Does anyone else relate to this? Thanks.

[devonian186]

I think its worth reading the leaflet that comes with each tablet to see if individually they could have an impact. Then worth checking with your pharmacist as to whether any might interact with another.

As they have been prescribed the GP should have taken into account any knock on effect but they are not all necessarily that conversant with with heart problems. It may be that the medication was prescribed by your cardiologist but still worth checking with your pharmacist.

At the time of prescribing were they aware of any other medical conditions you may have, such as asthma?

[WhenImSixtyFour in reply to devonian186]

Thanks for getting back. All good points. I have a telephone check-in with Cardio Rehab tomorrow so I will investigate some of this with them then. Thanks again.

[Andyman]

Keep the exercise going. You've had a heart attack it kicks the hell out of you. Walk everyday getting further each day and faster if you breathing can take it. Talk to your doctors if pills are a worry but don't Google it. Google will give you nightmares.

[WhenImSixtyFour]

Ha! Google can take you down many weird and unhelpful rabbit holes, can’t it?!

I may just need to be a bit more patient with my recovery, to be honest. Whenever I get a couple of good days in a row, I think that’s it I’m fixed. Then when the fatigue comes back, I get frustrated and look for explanations. This may just be what my recovery looks like and I need to relax and roll with it a bit more.

Thanks for getting back to me - much appreciated.

[STEMI_Dave]

Yep - fatigue! But to be fair 2 months "ain't nuffin" IMHO.

I am on similar meds. Came off Prasugrel after 1 year which stopped the dribbly nose, easy bruising, copious bleeding from slight scratches, etc. That at least stopped some of the stressing about those side effects.

After nearly 2 years, I still get tired from time to time - sometimes feel a bit queasy/nauseous (but no vomiting). I suspect the beta blocker is a factor (Bisoprolol, in my case), but I sometimes find an afternoon 5 minute 'power nap' to work for me. Perversely, some light activity (gardening, pottering, etc.) can also sometimes refresh me. I plan to ask at the next med review.

Another pet theory I have is that Lansoprazole affects nutrient absorption, so I take an occasional slow release Iron supplement (that's been okayed, btw!).

I did all the (really good!!!) Phase 3 and Phase 4 rehab within 6 months of my STEMI, and get no discomfort during exercise or activity. Any niggles seem to occur when more passive, hence my thinking it's about med side effects - things maybe 'slowing down' too much.

HTH,

Dave

[WhenImSixtyFour in reply to STEMI_Dave]

Thanks Dave. Hearing other people’s experiences is genuinely helpful and reassuring. I am starting to realise that I have always been somebody who finds doing little or nothing very difficult and it may well be that I need to quiet my busy voice and learn to ease into recovery. Wishing you well on your continuing journey.

[Oaks6]

I’m wondering if it’s worth asking your doc for a blood test? It might show up any results that might help resolve what’s causing your issues.

[WhenImSixtyFour]

Thank for this. I am actually getting bloods taken tomorrow as part of my planned rehab checks so I will be sure to let them know about the tiredness, in case they spot anything that might explain it. Great suggestion - thank you.

[Tlyna]

I have had some problems with the Clopidogrel (taken since TAVR in January) including extreme tiredness, often causing me to fall asleep, also severe balance issues that I have never had before and electrical light flashes like a migraine aura frequently as in 2 or 3 times a day. My cardiologist won't take me off it yet so I have been skipping a couple of days and taking low dose aspirin in between. I've noticed when I do so my side effects lessen.

When I was on Ramipril I had fatigue, numbness and tingling in my hands, at times a racing heartbeat but worst of all was extreme shortness of breath causing me to have to stop about every 20 feet or so and double over trying to catch it. Finally got off it and improved within a couple of days. I don't know whether it caused it or merely masked what was starting to get bad but within a few months that extreme shortness of breath came back and I ended up in emergency. That was when I had to have the aortic valve replacement.